After a pair of rounds in conjunction with the Formula 1 World Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup North America returns this week to a natural terrain road course in conjunction with the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The 11-turn, 3.450-mile Watkins Glen International circuit opened in 1956 to replace the public road course around the nearby town of Watkins Glen and has become a favorite of fans and drivers alike.
This weekend’s event has 30 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars (type 992) on the entry list for the fourth round of the eight round season. It marks a return to the ANDIAL Cup, the championship within a championship that awards points at the traditional road courses on the schedule – Sebring, Watkins Glen, Road America, Indianapolis and Road Atlanta. All full season entries are part of the ANDIAL Cup, but can forgo the rounds in conjunction with Formula 1 and remain eligible for points in this Championship.
Each of the Carrera Cup North America’s three classes – Pro, Pro-Am and Masters – will run on Yokohama ADVAN slicks. Two 30-minute practice sessions are scheduled for Thursday, June 19, followed by qualifying and the first race of the weekend on Friday, June 20 at 2:00 p.m. ET. Saturday’s 40-minute race runs at 8:00 a.m. to open a full day of activity at Watkins Glen.
Watkins Glen FAST FACTS
Field.
30 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars are entered for competition at The Glen
- Pro class. 17
- Pro-Am class. 6
- Masters class. 7
- Teams. 12 race teams are represented across all three classes
Track Record.
1:47.151, 2022, Kay Van Berlo, Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
2024 Race Winners.
- Pro.
- Race 1. Ryan Yardley, Topp Racing
- Race 2. Alex Sedgwick, JDX Racing
- Pro-Am.
- Race 1. Alan Metni, Kellymoss
- Race 2. Pedro Torres, ACI Motorsports
- Masters.
- Races 1 & 2. Richard Edge, ACI Motorsports
Point Leaders.
- Pro.
Riley Dickinson, No. 91 Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3 Cup - Pro-Am.
JP Martinez, No. 4 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup - Masters.
Scott Blind, No. 45 Ruckus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup - Entrants.
TOPP Racing
Schedule.
All times Eastern
- Thursday, June 19.
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Practice 1
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Practice 2 - Friday, June 20.
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Qualifying (all classes)
2:00 p.m – 2:40 p.m. – Race 1 (40 minutes) - Saturday, June 21.
8:00 a.m. – 8:40 a.m. – Race 2 (40 minutes)
Back To The Road Courses.
This week’s race at Watkins Glen is a return to a traditional road course, following the temporary circuits at Miami and Montreal. It also marks a return to the IMSA paddock following two consecutive rounds with Formula 1. The Finger Lakes track has hosted a Carrera Cup doubleheader each of the five seasons of competition.
Look Back At 2024.
Last year’s race was a breakout for Ryan Yardley, who earned his first career pole position and turned it into his first PCCNA race victory. JDX Racing’s Alex Sedgwick won Saturday’s race from pole position to become the sixth different Pro Class winner in eight races to open the season – a feat that could be matched again in 2025. Alan Metni split the Pro-Am class with Pedro Torres and returns searching for his first 2025 class win. Richard Edge swept the Masters class in 2024 and returns for the first time since Sebring in a hunt for the ANDIAL Cup.
Who To Watch For.
Though 2023 champion Riley Dickinson has won three out of six races in the Pro Class, several others have made their presence felt. Yves Baltas, a New York City native, swept the Miami weekend and enters third in the points. Ryan Yardley has been on the pace all season, finishing second four times and breaking through for his first win at Montreal. Behind them, JDX Racing’s Zachary Vanier has four third-place finishes and looks poised for his first win, while Dickinson’s Kellymoss teammate Aaron Jeansonne drove from the rear of the field to finish sixth at Montreal. ACI Racing’s Jimmy Llibre had a Sebring podium and has mixed it up early in races, while Michael de Quesada scored a podium of his own at Miami.
ANDIAL Cup Returnees.
Several drivers return to the series for the first time since the season opener at Sebring as part of the ANDIAL Cup events. In the Pro Class, John Jodoin (ACI Motorsports) and Jared Thomas (JTR Motorsports Engineering) return, while Brady Behrman (Van der Steur Racing) rejoins the Pro-Am class. The Masters class features its largest field since Sebring, with Richard Edge (ACI Motorsports) and JTR Motorsports Engineering teammates Peter Atwater and Rob Walker returning to the field.
Class Descriptions.
Pro.
The highest level of competition in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America. The class is recognized through its orange color scheme. The car entry number will be delineated in orange on the doors, the windshield and rear glass. Headlight covers will be clear with orange cross-marks.
Pro-Am.
Restricted to drivers who are 35 years old or older as of January 1, 2025. The class is recognized through its green color scheme. The car entry number will be delineated in green on the doors, the windshield and rear glass. Headlight covers will be clear with green cross-marks.
Masters.
This class is open to drivers who are 50 years old or older as of January 1, 2025. The class is recognized through its yellow color scheme. The car entry number will be delineated in yellow on the doors, the windshield and rear glass. Headlight covers will be clear with yellow cross-marks.
Entry List.
The full Porsche Carrera Cup North America entry list can be found by clicking here.
Partner Up.
Event results and current points for Porsche Carrera Cup North America can be found by clicking here.
Broadcast.
All races can be seen live on IMSA and Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube Channels, IMSA TV, Peacock, and the Porsche Motorsport North America social channels on Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads and X.
